ABJOL MIAH ELECTED NATIONAL CHAIR OF RESPECT

Abjol Miah was the unanimous choice of the National Council and joins the party leader Salma Yaqoob and former MP George Galloway as one of the three most prominent Respect Party members.

Mr Miah declared his surprise and delight at his election. “I did not expect this but I am very pleased at the confidence shown in me by my colleagues on the party’s National Council. This is a big responsibility and challenge which I am looking forward to carrying out.”

He continued: “We have an exciting year ahead of us. We finished last year on a high point with our by-election victory in Spitalfields and Banglatown. We are the only left of Labour party, including the Greens, who have won an election since the General Election in May. When Labour is in opposition, the smaller left parties always get squeezed. So our victory demonstrates we have a unique and strong appeal.

“We are looking forward to following this up with George Galloway’s bid to become a member of the Scottish Parliament. George had an extremely successful press launch on Sunday in Glasgow, which he is hoping to represent in the parliament, followed by a rally with more than 500 people at it. We think he has an excellent chance of winning which again will put Respect in a unique position, having previously not even organised in Scotland. “Beyond that, there are local elections in many parts of England in May. We will have candidates in some of those elections, in Manchester, Birmingham and Luton for example. We are hopeful we may secure victories in some of those contests. But we are also going to have a busy year building resistance to the terrible and entirely unnecessary and unjustified cuts being imposed by the Condem government. Labour’s opposition is half-hearted and halfbaked sadly, so we know there is a space for a voice which can speak up for the millions who are going to be severely affected by the dismantling of the health service and so much more of our welfare system.

“We also will be at the heart of international initiatives being planned to break the siege of Gaza, including the largest ever flotilla of boats seeking to enter Gaza waters heading off at the end of May. And we will be keeping up the argument for British troops to come home from the unwinnable war in Afghanistan.”

Mr Miah finished by saying: “I and my colleagues will be travelling the length and breadth of the country over the forthcoming year to take this message to the millions who
need a voice in these difficult times.”

Rob Hoveman was also elected National Press Officer at the Respect Party National Council meeting held in London on Saturday.